Fertilizer-distributer.



No; 7|2,5s|. Patented Nov. 4,1902.

J. oPPENHr-:lm L H. svNcK.

A. M. DPPENHEIM. Administrafrix uf 1. oPPENHEIM, nec'd.

FERTILIZEB DISTHIBUTEH.

' (Appcation med Jan. 1s, 1902. (No Modal.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

n W a h", l.

No. 7|2,58l.v PatentedNov. 4; |9012.

. J. oPPl-:N'HEIM au. svNcK.

A M. OPPENHEIM. Administratrix of J; OPPENHEIM, Decd.

FERTILIZERVDISTBIBUTEH.

(Application filed Jan. 13, 1902.)

\ wenn str-rtsi `PAfrENT "@EEICE'.

ANNIE MARY orPENrIEIM, ADMINISTEATRIX OE JOsEPH OPPENHEIM,

DEoEAsED, ANDIIENRY sYNOIr, OE MARIA STEIN, OI-no.

PearlLizER-lnlsrnlsursn.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,581, dated. November 4, 1902. i

l Application filed January 13, 192. Serial No. 89,609. (Nomodel.) I

To @ZZ whom, may cori/corni Be it known that JOSEPH OPrENI-IEIM, deceased, late a resident of Maria Stein, county of Mercer, and State of` Ohio, and HENRY SYNCK, of the saine place, citizen-s of the United States, did invent certain new and use. ful Improvements in Fertilizer-Distributersgl and we, ANNIE MARY OPPENHEIM, adminisr tratrix of the estate of JOSEPH- O rPENIIErM,

Io deceased, late a citizen of theUnited States,

and HENRY SYNCK, do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will` enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains x5 to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for spreading manure, compost, and the various kinds of fertilizers used for enriching land,V

the purpose being to provide a novel form of zo actuating mechanism, means for throwing the actuating mechanism into and out of gear at' the will of the operator, automatic means for throwing the machine out of action when the fertilizer has been exhausted, so as to prez5 vent injury to the working parts, a stripper `for clearing the drag-chains, and, lastly, to

improve the-general construction, whereby better results are attained.

For a full description of the invention and 3o the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached. t

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modificatiou, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichof a 'fertilizer-distributer embodying the essential features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail View showingthe relation ofthe stripper to the drag-chains and the sprocket-wheel around 'which the drag-chain passes.` Fig.` 3I

is a side View of the r'ear portion of the machine. v Fig. 4 is a view of the reverse side of the machine, the intermediate portion of the `body and running-gear being broken away.`

5o Fig.`5 is a transverse section on the line X X of Fig. 3 looking toward the rear, as indicated Figure 1 i'sa vertical longitudinal section by the arrow.' Fig. 6 is a detail section about on the line Y Y of Fig. 4, showing theparts on a larger scale. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view on the line Z Z of Fig. 4 looking to the 55 left, showing the operating-lever and the Aguide cooperating therewith. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the vibrating lever for intermittently actuating the drag-chaii'is, the lever for throwing said mechanism out of gear, the trip for automatically unshipping the feed mechanism and a portion of the ratchet-wheel `and the detent-pawl coperating therewith.

`side view of one 'of the Vteeth of the beaters. Fig. 12 is a top -plan view of theparts shown 7o in Fig. 2, the drag-chain and the part to which the stripper is attachedbeing omitted.

Corresponding and like parts are `referred, to in the following description and indicated inA all the views of the drawings by the same reference' characters.

The wagon-body l may be of any size and desired construction andI is mounted upon ground-wheels 2 and 3, one of which constitutes the driver for imparting motion to the distributingand spreading mechanisms. The running-gear upon which the body lis mounted may oe of any pattern best adapted for the purpose, and the drive-wheel is provided around its rim with cogs to preventslipping in soft and marshy land. The distributing mechanism is located at the rear end of the body l, and the working elements thereof are suitably mounted. A follower 4 and dragchains 5 are adapted to travel over the bottom of tho body l between the sides, s'o as to advance the fertilizer to the distributing mechanism. This follower 4 is rigidly attached to the drag-chains 5,which pass around sprocket-wheels (i and 7 at opposite ends of 95 Vthe wagon-body, the lower portion of the drag-chains being Vprotected and supported by guides 8, att-ached to the bottom of the body l at or near each edge. The guides S the dotted lines in Fig. 1, when turning the machine. A trip 10 (see Fig. 6) is attached to one of the drag-chains and is adapt-ed to automatically throw the feeding mechanism l out of gear, as will beexplained more fully step. A ratchet-wheel 12 (see Figs. 4 and 8) l is secured to one end of the shaft 11, and receives motion from a vibratory lever 13.

A stripper 14 (see Fig. 2) is provided for each sprocket-wheel 7 and drag-chain 5, and is loosely hung under one end of the bottom A or other convenient portion of the wagonbody, so as to follow the movements of the shaft 11 and the sprocket-wheel 7with which it coperates. The opposite end portion of the stripper is curved and gradually widened to provide a cam portion 15, which serves to gradually disengage the links of the dragchains from the teeth of the sprocket-wheels 7,thereby preventing the sprocket-chain from Wrapping around the sprocket-Wheel. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the strippers 14 are mounted independently of the shaft 1l, and its bearings are disposed so as to eect the purposes aforesaid in the best manner possible. A shaft 16 (see Figs. l and 9) extends transversely of the machine and receives the distributing-cylinder 17 and is provided at one end with a gear-wheel 34, which-is operated by means of a sprocket-chain 19, receiving motion from a toothed rim 20, attached to or forming a part of the drive-wheel 3. The lower portion of the drive-chain 19 passes over an idler 21, which is so mounted as to admit of any slack in the drive-chain being taken up. The upper end of the drive-chain 19 is supported by means of an idler 19, mounted upon a stud 19", projected laterally from a side of the body 1. A gear-wheel 22 is secured to the opposite end of the shaft 16 for rotation therewith, and a drive-chain 23 connects the gear-wheel 22 with a corresponding gear-Wheel 24 at one end of a shaft 25, journaled in the outer end of rear extensions 26. Blades 27 are attached to the shaft 25 and are arranged in such a manner as to spread the fertilizer in the operation of the machine. The shaft 25 and blades 27 constitute the spreader, whereby the fertilizer is distributed over a track greaterl than the Width of the body 1 or the length of the distributing-cylinder17. This is due to the arrangement of the blades, which are set obliquely to their plane of rotation, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the blades inclining from the center of the shaft iu opposite directions to spread the fertilizer laterally.

The upper beater for lightening and pulverizingthe upper portion of the fertilizer is located at a higher elevation than the distributing-cylinder and comprises a shaft 28, body 29, and teeth 30. A sprocket-wheel 31 is secured to an end portion of the shaft 28,

and is connect'ed,by means of a drive-chain 32, with the spocket-Wheel, preferably fastened in such a manner upon an end portion of the shaft 16 to rotate with the same. The gearwheel 34 has its teeth in mesh with the upper portion of the drive-chain 19 and is operated thereby for rotation of the beaters and distributing-cylinder. Sprocket-wheels 33 and 34 have, preferably, each a one-half clutch, which can be engaged to control the actuation of the distributing and beater cylinders. These half-clutches constitute the clutch 35, which is operated by means of a shipper-lever 36, connected by means of a rod 37 with a lever (not shown) within convenient reach of the drivers seat to admit of the machine being thrown into and out of gear, as desired.

'lhe Vibratory lever 13 is mounted upon an end portion of the shaft 11 and is provided with a pawl 38 for engagement with a tooth of the ratchet-wheel 12.` A pitman 39 connects the upper part of the lever 13 with a Wristpin 40 of the gear-wheel 22,whereby said lever is oscillated. f Retrograde movement of the shaft 11 is prevented by means of the detentpawl 41, which engages with a tooth of the ratchet-wheel12. When the lever 13 is moved forward at its upper end, the pawl 38 rides upon the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, and as the lever moves rearward the pawl 38 engaging with a tooth of the ratchet-wheel causes the latter to rotate and imparts a corresponding movement to the follower 4 through the instrumentality of the drag-chains 5 and sprocketwheel 7, as will be readily comprehended. When the shipper-lever 36 is actuated to throw the clutch 35 out of mesh, the sprocketgears 33 and 34 are separated and the shaft 16 does not rotate. Hence no movement is imparted to the lever 13, and as a consequence the feeding mechanism is in a state of rest. It will thus be seen that unshipping of the clutch 35 throws the entire mechanism out of action. It is desirable at times to throw the feeding mechanism out of gear Without stopping the action of the distributing cylinder or beater, and for this purpose the following means have been devised and consist, essentially, of the unshipping-lever 42, pivoted to the vibrating lever 13 at43, and having a cam- IOO IIO

head 44 and a curved end 45, terminating in a lateral extension 46, projected into the path of the trip 10, to be engaged thereby for throwing the pawl 38 out of the path of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 12 when the fertilizer has been exhausted. This lever 42 occupies the position substantially as shown by the full lines in Fig. 8, so as not to interfere with the pawl 38, but when moved to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8 the end 44 comes in contact with the pawl 38 and throws it out of the path of the ratchet-wheel 12, thereby preventing further operation of the feeding mechanism. The lever 42 is adapted to be actuated automatically by the trip lO or at the will of the operator. For the latnected by means of. airod 48 with the lever 42,'

This lever 47 is conveniently located for operation from the drivers seat and `is prefer-I ably an integral part of the'rod 4S. A bracket 49 is secured to a sideof the wagon-body, andl its upperend is forked, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7, toreceive the front end of the rod V4S to hold the latter in place and give direction thereto when moved forward or backward. A crimp is formed in the forward por-I tion of the rod 48, so as to provide a tooth 50,'

which is adaptedto engage over `the front side of the bracket 49 in advance of the fork and hold the unshipping-lever 42 inthe posi-A tion shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 8,1

thereby holding the feeding. mechanism out of gear until reset by the operator. The teeth of the beater and distributing-cylinderarej constructed substantially as shown in Fig. 1l, theirouter ends being tapering and liattened for the better engagement with the fertilizer in thedistribution thereof.

The fertilizer, manure, compost, lime, gu-

ano, plaster, or the like, issupplied to the body, the follower4 having been moved either to the front end or to any pointinthe length of the body. The actuating mechanism being in gear and themachine drawn over the field, the follower is advanced step by step to carry the fertilizer to the distributing mechanism, which spreads the same on the land. The fertilizer is taken up by the distributingcylinder 17 and is loosened and lightened by the beater and is spread laterally by the blades 27. Should it be required to throw the machine out of gear, it is only necessary to disengage the clutch35. The feeding mechanism'may be thrown out of gear without interrupting the operation of the distributingcylinder or beater by operationof the unshipping-lever 42. When the fertilizer is nearly exhausted, the trip 10 will come in contact with the bent end46 ofthe lever 42 and automatically throw the pawl 38 out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel l2, whereby injury to this part of the machine is wholly obviated.

The body'l, with the feeding and distrib-` 5,1, which are securedby means of a pin in-` serted in any one of a series of openings 5:2. This beater islocated in front of the distributing-cylinder to relieve the latter ofthe upper portion of theload and enable a more thorough pulverizing of the fertilizer.

The beaters 17 and 29 and spreader 27 are necessaryto distribute manure, compost,`and

like fertilizer; but for scattering plaster, lime, guano, andkindredpulverulent substancea distributeig' as 54, (see Fig. 1,) is used, and

consists of a iiat plate mounted for rotation `and arranged below the rear end of the bottom of the body l, saiddistributer being rotated by means of a chain *55 from the shaft25. f` y Having thus described the invention, what is claimed new is 1. In a fertilizer-distributerof the character described, the combinationgwith a bodylholding the fertilizer in bulk, a `distributing mechanism' at one end of `thesaid body, adragchain and follower for advancing the fertilizer to the distributing mechanism, actuating means for the drag-chain comprising a shaft `and sprocket wheel, anda stripper mounted independently of the said shaftbut guided by the sprocket-wheel and Varranged to discngage the linksof the drag-chain from the `teeth ofthe sprocket-wheel, substantially as set forth. V A i 2. In a`fertilizer-distributer, and in combination with the distributing `mechanism, means for advancing the fertilizer to the distributing mechanism, and actuating means for the feeding means comprising a ratchetwheel, a vibrating lever and a pawl, an unshipping-lever adapted to have a portion eX- tended in the path of the said pawl and throwing it out of the path of the teeth of the ratchetwheel, and means for operating the said ratchet-wheel, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fertilizer-distribiiter of the character described, and in combination with the distribu ting mechanism, a feeder and actuating means therefor comprising a vibrating lever, pawl and ratchet-wheel, au unshipping-lever pivoted to the vibrating lever and having a cam portion to be brought in contact with the pawl to throw it out of the path of the ratchetwheel, an operating-lever, a rodconnecting the operating-lever with the unshipping-lever, and means for holding the parts in the desired position, substantially .as specified.

4. Inra fertilizer-distributer of the character described, the combination of the distributing mechanism, a feeder comprising a follower and a drag-chain, means for intermittently actuating the feeder comprising an oscillatory lever, a pawl and a ratchet-wheel, an u nshipping-lever pivoted to the said oscillatory lever, and a trip attached to thedragchain for automatically operating theunshipping-lever to th row the feeder-actuating mechanism out of gear, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination, a distributing-cylinder, gears mountedl upon the shaft of thetdistribating-cylinder, a clutchA for throwing said gears into and out ofmesh with each other and the said shaft, a beater connected for rotation with one of the said gears, afeeder, actuating mechanism for the feeder operated by means of the shaft of the distributing-cylinder, means forthrowing the feeder-actuating mechanism out of gear independentlyof IIO admit of the front wheels turning thereunder,

substantially as specified.

7. In a fertilizer-distributer, the combination with the body holding the fertilizer in bulk, a follower and a drag-chain, a track beneath the bottom of the body for supporting the lower portion of the drag-chain and having an upwardly-curved portion to clear the front wheels when making a short turn, substantially as speciiied.

8. In a fertilizer-distributer, the combination with the body holding the fertilizer in bulk, and means for advancing the fertilizer to the rear end of the body, a distributingcylinder for pulverizing and delivering the lower portion of the fertilizer, and an upper beater set in advance of the distributing-cylinder for relieving the latter of the weight of the upper portion of the fertilizerand pulverizing the same, substantially as specified.

9. In a fertilizer-distributer, the combination with the body holding the fertilizer in bulk, and means for advancing the fertilizer to the rear end of the body, a beater, and a spreader arranged below the space formed between the said beater and the rear end of the bottom of the body, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we ai'ix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ANNIE MARY OPPENHEIM,

Administrativa@ of the estate of Joseph Oppenheim, deceased.

HENRY SYN CK. Witnesses:

FRANK WEITGERDES, BERNARD OPPENHEIM. 

